Q.
What
is Zipping/Stuffing
and why should
I do it.
A.
Zipping(PC)
and Stuffing(Mac)
are two common
terms used
to describe
the compression
of a file
or multiple
files into
a single smaller
file. This
is most often
done when
you want to
send files
to another
person via
email or ftp
upload. It's
useful in
a few ways.
First, the
actual compression
of files can
dramatically
reduce their
size in some
cases by as
much as 95%.
Having your
files compressed
will cut down
on transfer
times for
both you the
sender and
the recipient.
Secondly there
is the convenience
of having
to attach
or upload
only one file
instead of
multiples
and the comfort
of knowing
all your fonts,
images, source
files, etc.
are packaged
in one neat
safe unit.
Finally archiving
into compressed
zip or stuffit
files adds
cross platform
stability
allowing users
to send and
receive through
various systems
and have the
final file
expand and
be usable
on the destination
platform.
Guide
for Windows
users
>>
Guide
for Mac users
>>
Windows
users should
start by downloading
Winzip from
www.winzip.com.
The evaluation
copy is free.
NOTE: Windows
XP has Winzip
built in and
ready to go,
but downloading
and installing
the free copy
from winzip.com
will add a
little more
functionality.
After you've
installed
Winzip, you
can poke around
with the program
if you like
or zip stuff
up the fast
and easy way,
like this.
First
collect all
the necessary
files into
one temporary
location.
Then select
all the files
and RIGHT
click on one
of them. You
should find
that you have
a new option
in the menu
that pops
up. Select
"Add
to Zip",
give it a
name and there
you go! All
selected files
should now
be in a single
zip archive.
NOTE: Windows
XP users do
the same thing,
but you might
find the "Add
to Zip"
option under
the Send To
submenu.
Back
to file upload
page >>
To
stuff and
expand on
the Mac you'll
need Aladdin
Stuffit. The
free "Lite"
version comes
pre-installed
on most Macs
and can be
found in the
Applications/Internet
Utilities/Aladdin
Folder/Aladdin
DropStuff
folder. Or,
you can download
a free evaluation
copy from
www.aladdinsys.com.
Using Stuffit
is easy and
there is just
one setting
that you should
modify before
stuffing and
that can be
found under
preferences.
Tell
Stuffit to
create a BinHex
archive by
using the
settings below.
When
you actually
want to stuff
some files
start up Drop
Stuff and
select the
files you
want then
Add them to
the archive.
When you click
"Stuff"
you'll be
prompted for
a location
to store and
a filename.
You might
as well stick
it on your
desktop and
call itsomething
logical like
your book
title. Click
"Save
and you're
done. On your
desktop should
be a .hqx
file and that
will be what
you send.
Back
to file upload
page >>
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